HUNDREDS of patients flocked to say farewell to a much-loved GP, who is retiring after 26 years.

A queue formed outside the Dipple Medical Centre, in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, as people came to thank Dr Robin Bell for looking after them so well over the years.

The GP, who is moving to Warwickshire to be with his partner, is also stepping down as chairman of the South West Essex PCT.

The dad-of-two, who started out as an Army doctor before taking up his post in Pitsea, said he was blown away by the show of support.

He said: “It’s been a privilege to look after these people and I’m overwhelmed by how many have come to say goodbye.

“Now I’m leaving I’ve started to realise what a unique and wonderful thing being a GP in Britain is. People trust you, they tell you things they don’t tell anyone else.”

Not only has Dr Bell been an excellent GP to his own patients, he has also worked at a wider level to pioneer better care for people with diabetes in the district.

Thanks to his work, patients in Basildon will soon benefit from a community diabetes service.

Pat Cooper, of St Mary’s Crescent, Pitsea, who has been a patient of Dr Bell’s for his entire time at the surgery, was full of praise for the doctor.

Mrs Cooper, who is in her seventies, said: “We are so sad to see him go. He has been a wonderful community doctor. He has earned all our respect because of his patience and his directness. He will be sorely missed.”

Maggie Venn, a health care assistant at the surgery, added: “I’ve worked with Dr Bell for 18 years and it will be very hard to replace him. He will be a hard act to follow.”

The doctor, originally from Dorset, said he planned to work part-time as a GP in his new district and also further his interest in hypnosis and holistic medicine.

His two daughters, Hannah, 29, and Jessica, 24, have both followed their father into the medical profession and are physiotherapists.

Dr Bell admitted he had reservations about the recently announced Coalition Govern-ment’s plans to hand funding powers to GPs.

Dr Bell said: “I am worried about the changes. I think they create an inevitable conflict of interest between a GP’s clinical responsibilities and his financial responsibilities.

“It is a GP’s job to do the best for his patients and refer them to the services they need.

“But if that decision is affected by money, or the lack of it, then I think there is a potential serious problem.”